Nutrition center thriving in Oak Harbor

Peter Drucker, a renowned business consultant, once said that, “Whenever you see a successful business, (know that) a courageous decision was made.”

That is the thinking behind Doug and Kyle Cunningham’s decision to open L.D.J. Nutrition, a store that is one of several new businesses lining the streets of Oak Harbor.

The store, which opened in June at 156 W. Water St., has products ranging from smoothies and teas to aloe vera and supplements, not to mention a knowledgeable staff that can help answer questions regarding healthy living and nutrition. One of their specialties, 20-ounce smoothies, come in flavors from apple pie to chocolate mint to watermelon.

Brothers Doug(left) and Kyle Cunningham, owners of L.D.J. Nutrition, which sells products ranging from smoothies andteas to aloe vera and supplements designed to promotefitness and healthful living.

The company also has a body composition monitor that determines a person’s bone mass, muscle mass and body fat percentage, among other things.

“We have a series of supplements for body building and natural performance enhancers,” said Kyle, 21, the younger the brothers. “We have a healthy heart line, digestive products – pretty much everything from cellular nutrition to shampoo and body wash. We also carry fragrances and skin care products.

“We also offer meal replacements in the form of smoothies, products for weight loss, weight gain, sports nutrition and a full line of vitamins and supplements,” he said.

The primary theme behind their store is that its products are naturally-based and healthy.

“All of our products, even (those) in our sports line, are natural-, plant- and food-based,” said Doug, 25.

So how did the brothers come up with idea of owning and operating their own business?

“My brother and I kind of fell into it,” Doug said. “We were both looking for a way to get in shape for different reasons. (Kyle) wanted to gain more muscle and I wanted to lose weight. We started using these products and I lost about 40 pounds and (Kyle) has gained almost 25 pounds in lean muscle. We also just wanted to help people get into a healthy lifestyle.

“We started using the products in February (of 2012) and by April, we knew that (opening a store) was something we wanted to do,” Doug said.

Thus far, Kyle notes, things seem to be going pretty well. “We’re getting a lot of business and support for the community.”

So how does someone get started on the path to good health?

“We tell (our customers) about our personal results and give them some testimonials from other people,” Kyle said. “We usually get people to do a wellness profile, which tells us about their different body functions from weight to body-fat percentage, body water and calories burned in a day, for example.”

Both Doug and Kyle are running the business while attending Terra Community College in Fremont.

“We try and schedule things so we have classes at night after the store is closed,” Doug said. “Sometimes it’s difficult to balance everything out. The pros are that it’s very rewarding to help people in the way that we do and we’ve also met so many people and have made so relationships. As for the cons, we’d have to say it’s a lot more work than people think.”

“It’s actually a lot of work,” Kyle said. “I never thought, at my age, that I would be running a small business. It took a while to get the bumps worked out, but now Doug and I have a pretty good grasp on what’s going on and how to manage everything and be successful at it.”

The Cunningham’s aren’t claiming their products will be able to do unspeakable things but rather that they can work improve one’s health.

“None of our products claim to cure anything,” said Doug, “but when you put healthy, natural items into your body, the results may surprise you.”

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